The Big Shoot Day is Finally Here! | From Suit To Shoot | Episode 12

The journey to Scotland has been incredible and the big shoot day is finally here! In today's video, I finally get to experience my first proper driven shoot, and that means wearing my 5-piece bespoke shooting suit from Henry Poole for the first time! We explore the tradition of a proper English driven pheasant shoot at Craigsanquhar Estate and Birkhill Castle. Gamekeeper George Elliott guides us through this beautiful property as we experience the incredible British tradition.

The quality, craftsmanship, and tradition of every element of the traditional shoot has evolved over hundreds of years and is astounding. Everything has its purpose. This can be best seen in the traditional shooting suit made for me by Henry Poole. More than just an example of British craftsmanship at its best, the suit is a functional piece of sporting clothing.

The plus fours, the pleats, the pockets, even the tweed patterns themselves, were all specifically designed with performance in mind. They are as functional today as they were over a hundred years ago.

And the guns… well, they are simply works of art. But just like the suit from Henry Poole, the guns are meant to be used. The fact that the guns I used are over 50 years old, and could easily last another 100, is testament to the enduring craftsmanship of these incredible Purdey shotguns.

With the final drive of the day underway, I couldn’t help but appreciate the importance of the local gamekeepers. Their role is so much more than simply organizing the shoot day. As I learned in speaking with George Elliott, the real work of the gamekeeper is as a custodian of the local environment and wildlife population. From protecting their habitats to the fact that the vast majority of all the birds they raise ultimately return to the wild, their work is essential to maintaining the overall health and vibrancy of the local ecosystem AND is enjoyed by more than just those who shoot.

As the day came to a close, the magnitude of everything I experienced really began to come together. The incredible natural beauty of the Scottish countryside, the work of the Gamekeeper to raise a healthy bird population, and the traditions of the shoot itself… all of these elements come together such that the totality of the moment far exceeds any one element of the day.

And ultimately, all of this revolves around the important work of the gamekeeper in providing sustainability and balance to the ecosystem of the countryside.

In today's age of fast fashion and ‘cheaper is better,’ to me, the proper British shoot, run by master gamekeepers, with it rich customs, that puts quality, craftsmanship and tradition at the forefront, is something to be honored and maintained.

I had set out on a journey to discover if all of this was still relevant, and the answer was an overwhelming yes. Not only is it relevant, it is important.

For more information, contact George via email here:
https://www.elliottclays.com/
[email protected]

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https://www.craigsanquhar.com/
https://www.purdey.com
https://www.lovatmill.com/
  / simulated.game.scotland  

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FROM SUIT TO SHOOT - OTHER EPISODES:
Episode 1: Commissioning the Perfect British Shooting Suit with Henry Poole
   • From Suit To Shoot | Episode 1: Commi...  
Episode 2: Collecting Tweed From Lovat Mill In Scotland
   • From Suit To Shoot | Episode 2: Colle...  
Episode 3: Bespoke Suit Construction with Henry Poole
   • From Suit To Shoot | Episode 3: Bespo...  
Episode 4: First Fitting at London Bespoke Tailors Henry Poole
   • From Suit To Shoot | Episode 4: First...  
Episode 5: Final Suit Construction with Henry Poole & Co
   • From Suit To Shoot | Episode 5: Final...  
Episode 6: Second Fitting with Henry Poole & Co
   • My Final Bespoke Fitting with Henry P...  
Episode 7: Choosing My Guns With Purdey Gun Makers
   • Choosing My Guns With Purdey Gun Make...  
Episode 8: Henry Poole Bespoke Suit Blessing
   • Henry Poole Bespoke Suit Blessing | F...  
Episode 9: How Tweed Is Made: Visiting Lovat Mill
   • How Tweed Is Made: Visiting Lovat Mil...  
Episode 10: Visiting A Scottish Estate: Craigsanquhar Estate
   • Visiting A Scottish Shooting Estate  ...  
Episode 11: Shooting Training With A Scottish Gamekeeper
   • Shooting Training With A Scottish Gam...  
Episode 12: Big Shoot Day Climax
   • The Big Shoot Day is Finally Here!  |...  

Big Shoot Day Climax | From Suit To Shoot | Episode 12
00:00 Previously in the series
02:17 Arriving at Craigsanquhar Estate
03:13 Simon Cundey talks through the suit
06:38 The cigars
08:52 Pre-shoot briefing
12:09 Headed to the fields
13:55 Drive one
19:35 Drive two
21:52 Drive three
27:32 On the next episode